MLB betting preview (Aug. 13): Cubs vs. Blue Jays predictions
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
By Greg Warren
Aug 13, 2025, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 13, 2025, 10:54 EDT
The Toronto Blue Jays will be aiming for a third consecutive win when they continue their series with the Chicago Cubs at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night.
Toronto cruised to a 5-1 victory over Chicago in the series opener on Tuesday to become the first American League team to reach 70 wins.
Meanwhile, the Cubs have lost five of their last seven games but still remain the top wild card team in the National League entering this contest.
Let’s take a look at the game odds for Wednesday’s clash between the Cubs and Blue Jays courtesy of bet365.
Cubs vs. Blue Jays odds
Cubs moneyline odds | +110 |
Blue Jays moneyline odds | -130 |
Runline odds | Blue Jays -1.5 (+155), Cubs +1.5 (-185) |
Game total | Over 8.5 runs (-115), Under 8.5 (-105) |
Date/time | Aug. 13, 7:07 p.m. ET |
About the Cubs (67-51 SU, 56-62 ATS, 57-55-6 o/u)
The Cubs have recorded a grand total of just six runs over their last five losses, and they managed just four hits and one run against Jose Berrios and the Blue Jays on Tuesday night. However, the Cubs still boast the best road OPS (.774) in the majors, and they’ve scored the second-most road runs in baseball (317 in 60 games).
Chicago’s current roster boasts a .305/.370/.488 slash line with a combined .857 OPS in 82 at-bats against Toronto starter Kevin Gausman, so there’s a very good chance the offence could rebound on Tuesday.
About the Blue Jays (70-50 SU, 71-49 ATS, 65-51-4 o/u)
The Blue Jays improved to a very impressive 39-19 at Rogers Centre with Tuesday’s win. They have the best home batting average in baseball (.272) and rank in the top five in home on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. Additionally, they’ve struck out a total of just 355 times at Rogers Centre through 58 games (an average of 6.12 strikeouts per game), which is the lowest home amount in the league.
Toronto’s pitching staff has struggled as a whole since the All-Star break, combining for a 4.61 ERA (23rd in baseball in that span) while allowing opponents to hit .243.
Probable starting pitchers
Chicago: RHP Cade Horton (6-3, 3.18 ERA, 6.69 K/9)
Horton is enjoying a nice run, holding the opposition scoreless in four straight starts and five of his last six. However, he has drastic home/away splits, sporting just a 3-3 record with a bloated 5.19 ERA in games away from the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. Horton’s fastball, which averages a very respectable 96 mph, has been very hittable by the opposition this season (.313 batting average, .396 slugging percentage), but he ranks in the 80th percentile in offspeed pitch run value with a very good sweeper, changeup, and curveball.
Toronto: RHP Kevin Gausman (8-8, 3.85 ERA, 8.96 K/9)
Gausman fared quite well in the high altitude at Coors Field in Colorado last time he took the mound, limiting the lowly Rockies to one run on three hits over seven innings while striking out eight batters. He has held the opposition to three earned runs or less in seven of his last eight starts, with only one poor start against the Kansas City Royals (5 ER over six innings) in that span. Gausman’s signature pitch, his splitter, has returned to elite form this year, holding the opposition to a .168 batting average (.183 xBA) with a 20.9% putaway rate.
Notable injuries
Pitchers Mike Soroka (shoulder), Jameson Taillon (calf), and Justin Steele (elbow) are all on the injured list for Chicago.
Outfielder Anthony Santander (shoulder), pitcher Bowden Francis (shoulder), pitcher Yimi Garcia (ankle/elbow), outfielder George Springer (concussion), and pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) are on the shelf for the Blue Jays.
Weather
Forecasts are calling for temperatures around 25 C with a 30% chance of rain. Winds will blow in from left field at 9 mph.
Cubs vs. Blue Jays betting trends
- The under is 8-1-1 in Chicago’s last 10 games.
- The Blue Jays have the best record on the runline (71-49) in the majors.
- The Blue Jays have hit the team total over in 40 of their last 65 games.
Cubs vs. Blue Jays player prop trends
- Horton hasn’t allowed an earned run in four straight starts and is -130 to record under 2.5 earned runs.
- Dansby Swanson has hit safely in five straight games and eight of his last 10. He’s -165 to extend his hitting streak.
- Ernie Clement has homered in three consecutive games and four of his last five. He’s +710 to go deep.
- Gausman has recorded 18 outs or more in four straight starts and is -145 to go over 17.5 outs recorded.
Cubs vs. Blue Jays best bet
- Cubs moneyline: +116 for one unit (best odds @ NorthStar Bets). We’re getting plus money in this spot on the Cubs, who will have one of the hottest pitchers in baseball on the mound over the past month or so. Chicago is due for a rebound offensively against Gausman, a pitcher that many of its players have had success against in the past. Back the Cubs to even this series on Wednesday night, setting up a rubber match in the series finale on Thursday afternoon.